Top 10 Portuguese Players

jonjoward1998
Apr 30, 2025
5 min read

Just like players from Spain, France and the Netherland, Portuguese players have also had a major impact in the Premier League with a lot of them arriving relatively young before going on to develop into some of the best players in Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo in particular is an example of that as he arrived in this country when he was very young, but went on to develop into the player we know him as today.

Portugal have produced many great players over the years with a lot of them coming from the Sporting Lisbon academy, which is one of the best in Europe.

Some players who have come through the Sporting academy have gone on to play in the Premier League like Cristiano Ronaldo for example, and a few of them are on the list including Ronaldo.

Here is the list:

Cristiano Ronaldo

Diogo Jota

Ricardo Carvalho

Nani

Joao Cancelo

Bernardo Silva

Ruben Neves

Ruben Dias

Joao Moutinho

Bruno Fernandes

Joao Moutinho

Moutinho was Portugal's best player after Cristiano Ronaldo for many years and I was very surprised that he joined a club like Wolves in their first season back in the Premier League.

He was a very good player during his time at Wolves and especially during their first two seasons back in the Premier League, where his creativity, ability to dictate play and midfield partnership with Ruben Neves played a key role in Wolves finishing 7th in back-to-back seasons.

I had to have him in 10th because he wasn't as influential in the following seasons after Wolves' first two back in the top flight.

Ruben Neves

Neves was Wolves' main man in the season they got promoted to the Premier League and their most influential.

But when he came into the Premier League, he wasn't as influential with other players receiving more praise than him.

He was still an important player for Wolves due to his work rate off the ball, which enabled him to get back to help his team out defensively, and get forward to help his teammates out when needed.

He had great energy and work rate, and he could also strike a ball from distance as he has done so many times.

Diogo Jota

Jota was Wolves' top scorer in the season they promoted to the Premier League and was an important player for them during their first two seasons in the Premier League.

He later earned himself a big move to Liverpool where he went on to become one of their most important players after initially being seen as a back up player to their front three.

He has had a lot of injuries since he's been at Liverpool, but his goal record has been impressive and the reds have arguably been a better team with him in it because of his ability to score goals alongside his work rate off the ball.

He's netted 47 times for the reds and all of them have been crucial to the reds competing near the top of the Premier League in recent seasons.

He would've been higher had he not picked up as many injuries.

Joao Cancelo

Cancelo was an example of the modern day full back during his time at City as he was brilliant going forward and could move into midfield.

He was arguably the best full back in the Premier League when he was a regular at City because of how good he was going forward and he could also play on either flank.

He did leave City under a cloud after an apparent falling out with Pep Guardiola not long he lost his place int he team.

But on his day he was an incredible full back and one of the best in Europe.

Nani

Nani could be a frustrating player to watch at times when he was at Man United but on his day, he was a handful for any full back.

He was a winger who was quick, agile, and very skilful as he had many tricks up his sleeve that would send opposing full backs on their backsides.

It wasn't until after Ronaldo left where he began to add end product to his game in terms of goals and assists and once he did, he became one of United most important players.

He won 4 Premier League titles during his time at United and his contributions and performances played a key role in United winning those titles.

Ruben Dias

What a signing this guy has been for City.

Dias immediately made an impact the moment he arrived at City by making them a lot better defensively due to his leadership and defensive abilities.

He impact he had was similar to the one Van Dijk had at Liverpool in that he's also made the players around him better including John Stones, who became a much improved player alongside Dias during his first season.

He has since established himself as one of the best central defenders in Europe by being a good reader of the game and comfortable in possession.

He's been crucial to City's success in recent seasons and has made them a better team defensively whenever he's been available.

Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes should probably be higher because of the difference he's made to Man United since he's been there.

But I had to put him in 4th because he hasn't won the Premier League.

The impact he's made since joining United has been huge as he's given them the creativity they were lacking and offered a goal threat from midfield.

He's been by far the best signing United have made since Fergie left and without him, I'm not sure where they would be.

Ricardo Carvalho

Carvalho is one of those defenders who never gets mentioned when thinking of the best defenders in the Premier League.

But he should do because he was a quality centre half in that he was good in the air, could read the game well and time his tackles to perfection.

He was a key part of every title winning team he was part of at Chelsea where he formed such a strong partnership with John Terry at the back.

He was one of Jose Mourinho's first signings in his first spell at Stamford Bridge or rather he followed Mourinho to the Bridge after working with him at Porto.

Bernardo Silva

Silva hasn't always been a guaranteed starter for City due to their squad being so strong but whenever he's been called upon, he's always delivered.

He's scored a number of important goal during his time at City alongside working his socks off in the midfield due to his incredible energy. Both have played a key part in the success he's achieved at City throughout his time at the club.

He's played in a variety of positions during his time at City and wherever he's been asked to play, he's always stepped up whether that be out wide, as a 8, 10, or even as a false nine.

He was often the player who would step up in Kevin De Bruyne's absence and he did so in at laeast two seasons in 2019 and 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo

There was only one winner for this category and of course it had to be Cristiano Ronaldo.

He was all about the step overs and fancy tricks when he first arrived at Man United as a skinny 18 year old, but he soon added end product to his game in the following seasons which saw him develop into the world class player he would go on to become.

His final three seasons at United were the start of him becoming the world superstar we know him as today and the numbers he hit after he left were simply outrageous.

MY TOP 10: